HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-04-11, Page 1Inside this week
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Ambulance switch
nets staff savings
Blyth honours its
'Dogs' at banquet
A salute to area
sports teams
North Huron
considers policing
Festival party
launches season
e Citizen
Sewln e communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 17 No. 15
Wednesday, April 11, 2001
75 Cents (70c + 5c GST)
Tax
ration
freeze
could hit
hard
Huron County's farmers_and
homeowners, especially
homeowners, could face big tax
hikes under a decision on tax ratios
handed down by the provincial
government.
County council approved a
resolution on Thursday to ask the
province to extend the deadline for
setting the tax rate until June 30 from
April 30 in an effort to find a
solution to the problem. 'Most other
municipalities across the province
are expected to pass similar
resolutions.
The province had issued a
regulation on March 29 saying the
same ratios of industrial and
business taxes to farm and
residential as last year would apply
The problem is that assessments on
farm and residential properties have
been increasing, said David Carey,
county treasurer. This means the
share e of supporting_ municipal
programs will shift from ,industrial
and commercial properties to homes
and farms.
"Assessfrients have gone up 36-40
per cent for farmlands alone," he
said.
But while the assessment for
farmlands seems high, said Warden
Norm Fairies, reeve of Howick, the
impact will not be as severe because
farmland is taxed at only 25 per cent
of its assessed value. It appeared,
from preliminary calculation that
this would amount to only an
additional $28,000 spread across all
farms in Howick, FairieS said.
Lynn Murray, county clerk-
administrator pointed out that
homeowners have no such break and
will have to pick up the full tab for
tax increases caused by the rising
assessments and the province's
decision to freeze ratios.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Well known in the Walton and
.Seaforth area, through much of
Huron County and beyond, Neil
McGavin has been recognized for his
volunteerism:
Last Tuesday, McGavin attended a
function in Guelph where he was one
of 11 provincial 'recipients of the
Agri-Food Rural Communities
Volunteer Recognition Award.
As stated on the plaque he received
from the Ontario Agriculture
College, University of Guelph,
-McGavin, a local farm equipment
and machinery retailer, has served
many organizations over the years,
always bringing dedication, and his
irrepressible humour.
He served as a director for the
Ontario Plowmen's Association
before assuming the role of president-
last year, overseeing the
'International Plowing March and
Farm Machinery Show in Wellington
County.
There he demonstrated his
leadership skills in organizing over
1,000 volunteers and representatives
from 52 plowing associations into a
group that showcased Ontario's
agriculture to rural and urban people
alike.
He served on many committees for
the 1999 IPM in Huron County,
worked with organizations from 4-H
to agricultural societies and was
president of the Ontario Retail Farm
Equipment Dealers Association.
He has hosted and helped direct
farm machinery demonstrations and
farmer information days in
connection with his business.
The award noted that McGavin is a
"people person" who supports the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture,
the Christian Farmers- Federation,
Junior Farmers and 4-H. He
promoted agriculture and rural living
through hard work and enthusiasm
among his business and personal
contacts, locally and province-wide.
His vibrant spirit is contagious for
young and old alike.
McGavin serves his church, lodge,
Lions Club and curling club.
He also continued to support his
alma mater after his graduation in
1957, directing fundraising activities
to the University of Guelph's Access
Program Fund in 1996 and 1997.
In 1998, he was chosen as the
Brussels and. Area Citizen of the
Year.
Because of all of these
contributions on behalf of rural and
urban people, the award notes
McGavin's worthiness in receiving
the award.
McGavin said he is "pretty proud
of the award" and thanks his family
and wife Marie, in particular, for
keeping the home fires burning while
he was off on other endeavors.
Nominated by the Ontario
Plowmen's Association, McGavin
was one of more than 100 candidates
up for the award.
Florence Pullen of RR4, Clinton,
nominated by the' Ontario Sheep
Association, was also an award
recipient.
Snow
takes
toll on
trees,
shrubs
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
The six-foot snow drifts have
disappeared, exposing young trees
aiid shrubs to the first warm rays of
spring.
However, the damage _caused by
snow, wind and animals may have
left plants in need of special care.
"This is the worst year I have seen
for animal damage," said Don
Henry, owner of Maitland Manor
. Nursery and Landscaping, north of
Brussels. "The drivers making
deliveries for the wholesale tree
companies are saying the same
thing."
Henry is referring to the extensive
chewing damage caused by rabbits,
deer and even moles as they sought
out food sources through this winter
of deep snow.
"The rabbits went through several
layers of bark on some trees," he
said. "The moles girdled small
maple trees from the ground up."
Seeing considerable damage at his
nursery, Henry said customers
across the region have experienced
similar damage. "I have been getting
calls every day for the last two to
three weeks."
There is an artificial bark which
can be placed over chewed branches
and trunks to help preserve the trees,
said Henry. It allows the sap to
continue to flow in the tree and may
need to be applied for two to three
years while the bark recovers.
A regular user of the product,
Henry said it is already out of stock
this year so calling ahead may be
prudent.
For damage caused by wind or a
heavy snow load, Henry said for
some is a matter of wait and see. for
things such as cedar hedge rows
which have been bent over, he
recommends allowing some time to
see if the tree will recover on its
own. Otherwise, staking and support
will help.
Where branches have been broken
or ripped from the tree, he suggests
trimming the branch as close to the
trunk as possible, then allowing it to
heal naturally. Covering the wound
with a "paint' is not recommended
as they may do more harm than
good.
For shrubs which have been
flattened or gnarled, most can be
trimmed back substantially to allow
new growth.
Though some trees and shrubs
may look pretty rough for a couple
of years, Hem )(laid many will
recover.
For specific advice, local nurseries
or landscapers can help restore the
greenery.
Adding blooms to spring
Colleen Egger and her Grade 1/2 classmates at Grey Central Public School were in the spring
spirit Friday when they created their own blossoming trees. With a drop of glue and a little
delicate ringer work, the students placed an abundance of purple popcorn blooms on the bare
branches of their trees.
McGavin gets volunteer award